Haskins stretches lead at Champions Q School
Scottsdale, AZ (Sports Network) - Steve Haskins shot a six-under 65 and stretched his lead to four shots Thursday at Champions Tour Q-School.
Haskins, a longtime Nationwide Tour player who has made only one start in the last four years, moved to 17-under 196 with one round remaining at the TPC Scottsdale.
Ronnie Black fired the low round of the tournament thus far, a seven-under 64 that moved him from a tie for 11th place into solo second at 13-under 200.
Curt Byrum (68) and Peter Senior (68) share third place at 12-under 201, while Jack Ferenz (67) and Kirk Hanefeld (67) are tied at 11-under 202.
After three solid rounds, Haskins is sitting in a good position to earn playing status on the Champions Tour next season.
The top-five finishers at the end of the fourth round on Friday will earn full exemptions for 2010.
The next seven players, Nos.
6-12, will receive conditional status.
Haskins carried a five-shot lead to the 18th tee, but closed with a bogey -- his first dropped shot since Tuesday's opening round.
He collected seven birdies during the round, including six in his first 12 holes.
The 51-year-old journeyman made his only start in the last four years at this season's U.S. Senior Open, where he tied for 22nd place.
Haskins mostly played on the Nationwide Tour in his career, where he captured a win at the 1991 New England Classic. He also won the developmental tour's Ozarks Open in 2001, although that victory wasn't considered official because the tournament was rained out after just 36 holes.
Before quitting golf to enter the private sector, Haskins played 12 events on the Nationwide Tour in 2005, but made only one cut. He appeared 25 times on the Nationwide Tour in 2004, making just nine cuts.
Friday's winner will receive a $30,000 check. The prize purse is $200,000.
11/19 17:50:07 ET
